Welcome, Travelers, to Sports news on the Black Information Highway and The Mid-South Tribune ONLINE...Welcome, Travelers, to the 21st Century Underground Railroad...Subscribe FREE today to the BIHMST Channel on YouTube...

NASHVILLE, TN –
Sept. 22, 2013- There were more than just a few skeptics present at
the Titans home opener on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, a
team that has had the Titans number since 1992—when Coach Mike Munchak was making plays on the field rather than calling them from
the sideline. An opening drive consisting of a dropped pass and a
false start both by wide receiver Kenny Britt didn’t exactly have
people convinced the 21-year losing streak would be ending. To make
matters worse, the Chargers opening drive which resulted in a
touchdown only added insult to injury. Press room chatter switched
from home-opener excitement to show me the excitement, as did the
atmosphere at LP Field.

Insert Jake Locker.
After a huge scramble up the middle for a 39-yard gain, Locker ran
for another 10 putting kicker Rob Bironas in prime field goal
position. Two possessions later, Locker came up big again,
connecting with Walker, Wright and Washington for a total of five
first downs before running the ball 7 yards into the end zone for
the Titans first touchdown. Despite a total of 10 penalties, a
fumbled snap in punt formation and a 44-yard San Diego field goal,
the Titans ended the first half tied at 10 with momentum on their
side.

On the opening drive
of the third quarter, Titans Antonio Johnson sacked Rivers forcing
San Diego to punt the ball. After a 14-yard first down by
Washington, running back Chris Johnson had four carries for a total
of 37 yards leaving Bironas with a 43-yard field goal attempt that
went wide right. With Titans momentum dwindling, San Diego gained
possession at their own 33 yard line. In just under four and a half
minutes the Chargers ran 9 plays for a total of 67 yards resulting
in their second touchdown of the game.

Fans rallied behind
Locker as he scrambled for another big first down in the final plays
of the third quarter before getting sacked by Chargers player Larry
English, which forced the Titans to have to punt. The Tennessee
defense denied a chargers first down on the next drive allowing
Locker and his offensive line to set Bironas up for a 37-yard field
goal that but the Titans within four points with just over six
minutes remaining in the game.

Yet another big
drive by the Titans defense stopped San Diego from furthering their
lead. With just 2:05 remaining in the game the Titans took
possession on their own 6 yard line. Locker connected with five
different players to advance the ball 60 yards and almost threw an
interception on an incomplete pass intended for Delanie Walker
before spiking the ball to stop the clock at 28 seconds, leaving the
Titans at 2nd and 10 on the San Diego 34 yard line. An
incomplete pass to Damian Williams left the Titans facing 3rd
and 10 with only 21 seconds remaining on the clock. Both the crowd
sideline erupted as Locker found rookie Justin Hunter in the end
zone—for his first career catch—resulting in a 34-yard touchdown.

Leading 20-17, the
Titans defense took the field urging the crowd to remain on their
feet and yell even louder. San Diego’s final play seemed to come
straight out of the Harlem Globetrotters’ playbook as they made
seven lateral passes followed by an illegal kick to end the game.

By the numbers:

Titans had 10
penalties resulting in 110 yards in the first half alone and ended
the game with 11 penalties.

Wide receiver Kenny
Britt went 0 for 5 leaving him on the bench for the winning play.

Bernard Pollard
blocked a 38-yard field goal attempt for the Chargers that was
recovered by Tennessee’s Alterraun Verner.